Kutaragi, father of Sony's PlayStation, quits

TOKYO - The chief architect of Sony's PlayStation game console stepped down Tuesday as the Japanese company struggles to defend its dominance in the video game industry and revive its reputation as an electronics pioneer.

this was the original plan as it was stated in old news. The plan was for him to step down fully and hold an advisory position. So yes, this is old news. The only thing new about it is the fresh date and the fact today marks the day he finally leaves his post...

This isn't old news. Yes- we knew there was a shuffle in management. This was obviously NOT up to Ken. Now, the creative father to the successful Playstation, and Playtation 2 has tken it upon HIMSELF to leave SONY. This indeed news, and bad news at that.

So the guy who created the Playstation 1 and 2 (which keep the company afloat while it lost money in movies, music, and electronics) totally quits the company and it’s not a big deal? I’m not a fan of the Sony’s as a whole but I do understand the significance of his departure. It’s like saying when Bill Gates finally retires from Microsoft, it not a big deal. Or when Warren Buffet retires from Berkshire Hathaway it’s not a big deal. For Sony, this is a huge deal. Yes he’ll be a “consulting” but its not the same.

Whenever you see the personnell leaving that made up the backbone of such a successful console as the PS2, it means that the focus of the company is changing, and the motives behind their hardware design are also changing.

Some people at SONY saw how beneficial it was to include a DVD player in the PS2, and they got fixated on that aspect of the PLAYSTATION brand. THey began thinking about how they could force another Trojan Horse into the living room of its customers, but this time, they intended to be on all fronts.

Hardware, software, and the new disc format.

Because of how much they have invested in Blu Ray, it is no wonder that the quantity AND quality of PS3 games is suffering right now.

when there is a couple of Sony employees getting laid off from their job. But when the father of the PS3 quits, it's a whole different story. Its a sign of more things to come, unless of course there is a price cut.

"Ken Kutaragi, 56, retired as Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.’s chairman and group chief executive, the gaming unit said Tuesday. The unit is now headed by Kazuo Hirai, SCE’s former president and chief operating officer.

Kutaragi had already been relieved of day-to-day responsibilities as president last year but stayed on as chief executive and chairman. In April, he announced his intention to retire from those positions this month.

Though no longer a board member, Kutaragi will hold an advisory post at the gaming unit, according to SCE official Sayoka Henmi."

Effective today, he is no longer the CEO or chairmen. He hasn't quit SONY. Read the article about his announcement to retire back in April.

I love the inherent bias in the posting of this article.Using the word "Quits" instead of "Retires" Makes it seem like he doesn't believe in the company. And then little bits about sony's market share thrown in there for no reason.

Whenever a senior VIP of a company QUITS after devoting their life to a company, they have enough vested in the company, that they call it a "RETIREMENT" regardless of the terms that the individual left on. He very well may have said "F*CK YOU GUYS! YOU'RE F*CKING UP THE PLAYSTATION BRAND! I'm OUT OF HERE, AND I'M KEEPING MY SONY STOCK AND RETIREMENT FUND BECAUSE I'VE BEEN WORKING HERE LONG ENOUGH TO DO THAT!"

And because he is not just walking away without a check from SONY every month, it is called a retirement, and not just "QUITTING"

I mean Wasn't he suppose to be downgraded to some other duties. They probably thought, he is a wash-up old geezer, so Ken might as well go out with some pride.

Maybe he should start a new Video Game Company, maybe revive SEGA hardware hehe..Whichever way you look at it, employees come and go and are easily replaced but loosing someone with the likes of KEN, who has been there from the start is not easy.

Sony can only be optimistic about the future now. Who knows if they will ever be as dominate , as the last 10 years.

I for one am not spinning this as positive news. The only thing is that it shouldn't come as shock to anyone as it was announced in April.

I for one will admit that Ken got what he deserved as should any CEO that overpromises and doesn't deliver on those promises. He is a good tech guy. He is not a good business man. He let exclusives go through his hands. He wasn't able to work with Sir Howard Stringer and he didn't know when to keep his mouth shut.

Symbolically speaking, but not functionally. Regardless, Sony has been taking a beating since the initial delay, so Sony doesn't need bad news. What surprises me is that Kutaragi decided to step down. Was he afraid? Was he sick of every Sony executive slamming him every day for going overboard with PS3 production costs? Or is he simply tired or sick as an old man longing for retirement? Either way, I didn't like his decision. He should have stayed there as an honorary chairman. This only means he will not serve as a consultant anymore, which is sad considering he had many ideas for PS4, PS5 and PS6.

Edit:

Nevermind, my bad. He is still gonna give advice. This is just a repeat of already known news, the retirement simply took part today, that's all.

Uhm, nobody is "spinning" this into good news. Just you and your type "spinning" this into bad news.

It's actually just sad news. Kutaragi was and still is a great man, the father of modern gaming. He will be missed.

@Blade. You disagreed with my post? Which part is not true? This is the man that fathered the Playstation. It's where he started. It's about what he created. For Sony fans. That's something Sony and Japan as a whole still hold dear...love, pride, respect.

And btw, if you're paranoid about your spelling, that's your problem. Not sure where I corrected your spelling. Oh, I see...you had it with one 'n'...too bad. The reason for me putting that word in quotes was not to point out your spelling mistake. I just think it's a retarded word.

You acting as if he died... He quit... you know why people quit? because they are not happy. It does not mean he will be off the industry... not working from Sony does not mean he is a done deal. Didn't Peter Moore come from Sega? well... I don't think he will have a hard time finding a job if he wanted to.

And Kyur4ThePain you may want to try a better strategy against me then to point out one or two words I didn't spell correctly. I'm sure i can quote a few errors of your own... let me guess you spell check everything you type? if you do.. GOOD! for you. You are gifted! and special.

Thank you Ken for all that you've done for this industry. A lot of the current xbox lovers started on the playstation. A lot of the nintendo converts started on the playstation. You have equalized gaming with the playstation brand. Thank you for your vision!!! I wish you all the best.

You are 100% correct.. many of us supported the Playstation since it was born. (started back with 2600 console). And Ken did a lot for all gamers. I think he has the ability to see what gamers want.

It's obvious that the PS3 was not Ken vision of what the PS3 should be. Why else would he be quiting? That's why I follow Ken example as the creator of the creator of Playstation. I quit on Sony! LOL... just kidding... guys.. relax... I had to.

I think everyone should agree that Playstation without Ken it will not be the same.. no more, "visionary genius" and no more "equalized gaming" for Playstation. Do you guys know who which "visionary genius" will replace Ken.. and not turn the Playstation brand into just another blu-ray SKU? NO! WHY! WHyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy! you had to go! whyyyyyyyyy! where is my katana! So much pain!

Do you know what an "idiot" does when he can't support his opinions an ideas with arguements? They try to get personal by calling names and insulting the person that makes them feel... mmmm... small... Do you see me insulting personally any of you? uhh... no.. I don't have to. stating the obvious hurt is enough to make the ignorant spin.... That's why I don't have to do the same to your Mr billy... and you kevin1122.... anyways... who's kevin1122... are you new around here?...

Me leader?... wow... thanks you for you faith in my leadership... but... I rather just be one of those little guys that speaks his mind and my doing so... piss you off... when you can't find anything smart to respond.

actually theMart is our leader on the 360 side. You are more like a general. I know many pledge thier allegiance to him. I know I do. He is one of the most knowledgeable people on this site and he always provides a backup for his statements. It also helps that a lot of Sony fansluts hate him too.

There are no leaders here. If you fall into line behind someone on a website and you have never met them you might find you are confused when the time comes to make a stand.

ANYWAYS,

Thanks, Ken K for bringing games to someone besides kids and making it a hobby i have enjoyed for almost all of the 34 years I have been around in a little box sitting by the TV. Yes, you were not the first but the amount of changes that your boxes brought to the gaming world were numerous and yes, you made promises that were funny at times, but there is no denying that the PS1, and PS2 did alot of console gaming and I am sure you will do just fine in your new job.

That the biggest Sony fanboy uses the guy behind the better systems name and image! I think that secretly he wishes to have his ass spanked by Bladestar and TheMart Cheers Ken for all your years service to the industry we all love.

we already KNEW Ken K. was retiring.this is just updated OLD news.he was to retire in june,which is this month,and go work at cellius(formed by sony and namco devs).bloodmask thinks posting this would somehow sting for sony fans.it doesn't.

when nintendo president Hiroshi Yamauchi retired(made the greatest game industry comments ever for those that remember),and Satoru Iwata took over,everyone was not sure if he was able to replace the former stubborn president.but how is nintendo doing now?very fine thank you!

Kaz Hirai is very intelligent.so is Howard Stringer and Phil Harrison.they have been groomed for when this day would come.and it's not like Ken wouldn't advice them on the next systems if they asked.

but his job now is to work on the network he so wanted.he's always talked about computer entertainment.the playstation brand was a means to an end.but whatever he will work on now still will benefit sony more than any other company.

sony will be fine.and so will Ken K.bluray is leading hd-dvd,sales of Ken K. engineered products are in the millions:

100 million ps1s 115+million ps2s 25+ million psps almost 4 million ps3s

it's time for him to work on the network that brings all that together.can't wait to see it.and HOME will only be a taste for what's to come for ps3,ps2 and psp.sony under ONE roof means all that content funneled to playstation.it's one of the reasons why sony connect is closing.to put all that effort into playstation.music,movies and games.AND THERE IS LOTS OF IT.

This is hilarious. The guy's @ Cellius still making games for the PS3 and http://www.joystiq.com/2007... even for the 360. You can take the engineer out of the ghetto, but you can't take the ghetto out of the enginner. Go get 'em Kenny.

now its a chance to get things to move in the right direction faster, they said that now they are focusing on PSN more then before by that date 2009 online and GT5 should keep the platform moving along with those games that are do to it the stores between now and then.

but nothing i said was false.you just can't stand the truth when someone tells it.you may dislike the way i present it.and disagree with that.but it's sad that fanboys have NO ABILITY to counter what you say intelligently.

truth hurts doesn't it?just because microsoft wants to spin it by saying he QUIT,when in fact he RETIRED.should the man work for sony until he dies?at what time should he have retired?10 years from now after the ps3 is successful?

he knows the sony brand will be fine and has the tools to make them successful.they have a leader that has made sony's stock rise,not fall.and make a lot of money.they have turned around their electronics and their movies are in the top 10 if not in the top five.

Seriously though, is it really his fault that ps3 hasn't sold as well as Sony thought it would.

I don't think it is.

The Real Reasons the Ps3 hasn't sold as well.

1)They Released After Xbox360. 2)The blue Diode problems. 3)Even if you bring out a console after another console, You need to hit harder with games, Lair,Ngs,Heavenly sword- needed to be launch titles. 4)The price, but if PS3 came out first, i don't think this would have been a problem. 5)Even if you sell at a higher price, You need AAA titles to make money back from losing money on hardware.

He got what he deserved. Its called karma. He told to many tall tales about the ps 3 and he was a PR nightmare for sony. He sucked at public speaking and pulled down E3 for sony 2 years in a row. I think they will be better off without him. 4d my arse.

You can't fire the ceo like that, so he was moved to some other place with lesser responsibilities due to failiure of ps3. And then told to quit after spending some few additional months in the company.

Guys, please chill back and leave Bladestar alone. I read all of his comments in this thread and he was just saying the probable reasons why Kutaragi left, and not a Mart-esque, flaming diatribe.

Now, going back to the topic: Ken Kutaragi, regardless of the many stupid decisions that resulted in the PS brand's lost in leading the console war, should be remembered as the man who helped bridge the "kiddie" era of the 16-bit generation to the "mature" 32-bit era (and beyond). Sure, he fell from grace, but that's what iconic figures go through. If that wasn't the case, music today would still be dominated by 70's disco singers or 80's hair bands.